Cook and Garvin on making amends

Darwin Cook and Terence Garvin spoke Tuesday about making amends and gaining trust with the coaching staff and their teammates since the pair’s May arrest for shoplifting at a Morgantown gas station.

It marked the first time either spoke publicly about the subject.

Coach Dana Holgorsen referred to the pair as leaders on his defense during his weekly press conference earlier in the day, remarking that he was proud of how they responded.

“We handled that a long time ago. We’ve had lots of talks with them and lots of early morning workouts with them to see if they wanted to be here,” said Holgorsen. “They’ve done everything they’ve been asked to do.”

Exactly what they had to do, neither player made clear. But it sounds like it wasn’t quick or easy.

“No, it wasn’t a difficult process at all,” said Cook. “I could’ve been home. I was so happy they could’ve told me to do double the (things) I did. I would’ve laid my body on the ground just to be here at West Virginia.

“I really believe that deep down in my heart.”

Garvin, who called the incident “a dumb accident” said he is happy to be where he is today. On Saturday he will start at Star linebacker, a slight shift in his role as a safety last year.

“It was a dumb accident, but for the most part I’m excited we got through it. I’m able to gain my teammates trust and we moved on,” said Garvin.

Ultimately Holgorsen said: “They’ve done everything they’ve been asked to do. (They are) two of the guys that we’re counting on to be leaders on this defense, let alone the football team. I'm proud of how those guys responded, and they've done everything we've asked them to do.”

Garvin was a two-year starter at spur safety, and Cook started all of last year at bandit safety.